Religious Freedom Key to Pope’s U.S. Trip

Pope Francis likely to highlight threats to Christians and minorities in Philadelphia speech

Francis X. Rocca

ROME—Religious freedom will be a key theme of Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. in September, with an event dedicated to the topic at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, according to an official schedule released by the Vatican on Tuesday.

The pope will travel to Cuba and the U.S. between Sept. 19 and 27, his first papal visit to each country.